Mentally challenged youth burned to death in Comilla

A mentally challenged college student was burned to death in a fire outbreak in Burichang Upazila, Comilla.

The incident took place at Kharera Paschimpara in Bakshimul union of the upazila around 9:30pm on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Alauddin, 19, son of Abdul Momin.

Officer-in-Charge Alamgir Hossain of Burichang police station said Alaudding became mentally unstable about three months ago. For this reason, his family kept him chained inside their house.

He was a student of Kalikapur Abdul Matin Khasru College. During the shutdown of the school, he would help his father with his business.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that an electric meter had caused the fire. At the time, only his mother, elder brother, and his brother's wife were at home. The locals called the Fire Service Department upon hearing Alauddin’s screams.

However, by the time the fire was brought under control, the house was already burned to ashes.

The body was returned to family members at the request of the family and the locals and out of humanitarian considerations, said OC Alamgir.